READY

Welcome

The Rigorous Educational Assistance for Deserving Youth ''READY'' is a not for profit corporation based in Columbus, Ohio which focuses on providing financial education to young students. The READY program seeks to teach Columbus Public School about money management and the capital markets, along with their personal development.

Jeffrey Elder, a life long Columbus resident and product of the Columbus Public School System began developing READY conceptually during the 1992-1993 academic year. During this period and in the subsequent years, Mr. Elder was not only the driving force behind READY's growth, but he has served solely on a voluntary basis. Financing for the program during the first years came solely from Mr. Elder's personal resources. After receiving 501c(3) status in 1995, READY was able to successfully solicit support from some local businesses, foundations and private contributors.

In addition to Mr. Elder and his efforts, the program has also had a small, growing network of instructors who are believers of the concept. These efforts along with insights and advice gathered from a small group of business people who serve as an advisory board help assure that the right messages are getting out and that the organization can continue to remain effective. This group also assists in insuring that the messages and lessons continue to be germane to today's marketplace.

Since inception, there have been about 2000 students who have gone through some phase or capacity of the READY program. These students have all been Columbus Public School pupils and have primarily been from low and moderate-income backgrounds. These students have been racially diverse and none have had instruction on personal finance or budgeting. Further, given their backgrounds and history most of the students have been mathematical and reading comprehension issues.

A quality education is what the READY program strives to impart, by providing an interactive approach to learning about business, teaches students to work cooperatively with other in decision making situation, demonstrates to students the relationship among market force and the business world, motivates students who are often hard to reach by combining active learning technique, providing the right mix of fun, skills, learning, and competition, and Offers students an oppportunity to sample the adult world and the world of work.